“Dennis, you may be right. A pure heart sees clear, and you are an honest man, else there are none. Why do you think these men came? What was their hidden motive?”
“To find out where you hid your powder, your Honor. They are powder finders. In powder lies the hope of the cause, Governor. I have a thing on my mind, if I have a mind.”
“Well, Dennis, what have you on your mind?”
“There must be a military alarm-post in the cedars. It must be connected with hiding-places all along the way from Putnam to Norwich. And it is a man that you can trust that you must set in charge of the same alarm-post. As you said, I do know a tremendous secret.”
“You are a man that I can trust, Dennis; if not, who?”
“Your Honor,” said Dennis, bowing.
“Your heart is as true to liberty as that of Washington himself. To be true-hearted is the greatest thing in the world; hearts are more than rank.”
“Your Honor,” said Dennis, bowing again lower, “I would rather hear you say that than be a king.”
“Good, Dennis. Samuel Adams replied to the agent of General Gage who said to him, ‘It is time for you to make your peace with the King,’ and who then offered him bribes: ‘I trust that I have long ago made my peace with the King of kings, and no power on earth shall make me recreant to my duties to my country.’”